Hockey Community Rallies Behind Jablonski

For anybody that has ever been in a hockey locker room you get the feeling that it is more than just a team, it’s a brotherhood and a fraternity. Regardless of the level, all players can relate to that feeling of lacing up the skates and taking the ice. For Jack Jablonski, he may never take the ice again but he will always be apart of that brotherhood.

“He’s a hockey player. You can tell just talking to him. Guys are like that. Everyone’s the same. It’s like going into a new locker room and you’ve got 20 new best friends. That’s the way hockey is,” Minnesota Wild star Dany Heatley told the St. Paul Pioneer Press after talking with Jablonski.

Jablonksi, a sophomore at Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School in St. Louis Park Minnesota, was paralyzed in a junior varsity hockey game on December 30. Since then it seems like the entire world has stepped up to support him.

“Something like this, everyone can realize it can happen to anybody. You hate to see something like that happen, and that’s why you’re seeing guys rally around,” said Heatley.

Jablonski’s story has over taken not only the sports world in the Twin Cities but also the social media world. Countless Facebook users, hockey players and fans alike, have changed their picture to a number 13 “Jack Jablonski In Our Hearts” photo. A Jack Jablonski Facebook page was created and in less than two weeks it was “liked” by over 60,000 people. The page is littered with people sending prayers from all over the world. “Prayers from Finland,” “prayers from Northern Ireland,” “prayers from Port Charlotte, Florida”. This story is truly bringing the whole world together.

“I personally have Jack’s number 13 as my profile picture on Facebook because it reminds me of what Jack is going through right now,” said Facebook user and hockey enthusiast Nick Quandt. “This is just one of the little things I can do to help support him during this difficult time. As a former player it is an inspiration to me.”

In addition to all of the support that he has gotten on Facebook, Jack has touched even more lives on his CaringBridge page. His page has been visited by over 450,000 people while an additional 344 people have made donations in his name through the website.

After the injury doctors said that Jablonski would probably never walk again. Since the game, he has been able to move his arms, flex his elbow and move his right arm away from his body, all movements doctors initially did not think he would be able to do.

“He’s got a tremendous amount of recuperative abilities because of his young age,” his doctor told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

This story has touched a lot of people since it became known, but the people that play the sport can relate on another level. Collegiate and professional players alike have shown up and called to give their support to Jablonski.

“As a player you try not to think the worst when you see bad hits over the years but you know it’s a possibility,” said former Elk River High School standout and current Merrimack College player Brandon Brodhag. “He’s getting great support and he is bringing the hockey world together.”

Jack has been visited but numerous current Minnesota Wild and former Minnesota North Stars coaches and players. He also received a phone call from the greatest hockey player ever, Wayne Gretzky. According to reports, Gretzky urged Jablonski to remain positive.  Danny Brooks, Herb Brooks’ son, brought his father’s gold medal to Jablonski in the hospital to remind him that miracles can happen.

Residents of Minnesota, which is known as the “State of Hockey”, have shown up in full force to support the person known as “Jabs”.  According to the Benilde-St. Margaret’s website 948 people have signed up to attend the “Jack Jablonski Junior Bronze Pond Tournament” on Lake Minnetonka last Saturday. That number is impressive considering only 30 students were originally invited.

“I had no idea it would blow up like this. I was expecting 100 people to RSVP, and now there is over 900 people in less than four days,” said Mario Zattoni, one of the tournament co-hosts, on the schools website.

The event will have an auction, entrance fee and will be accepting outside donations. All proceeds will be given to the Jablonski family in order to help pay for medical expenses.

Another Jablonski fundraiser had an interesting conclusion. During a Blaine-Wayzata high school hockey game a “Chuck-a-Puck” was organized to raise money for the family. “Chuck-a-Pucks” are not uncommon at hockey games but the person that threw the winning puck and the number assigned to that person was. For those that don’t know, “Chuck-a-Puck” is an event that happens during intermission of a hockey game in which fans throw pucks toward center ice and the puck closest to the center ice dot wins. Well, if this story didn’t have enough flare, it got it when the winning puck number was announced, and it was Jabs’ number 13.

“I walk out there, look down at center ice, and a chill ran through me,” said Mark Nowicki, the event’s coordinator, in a recent StarTribune interview.

Amazing as it is, that’s not the most unbelievable part of the story. The person that threw the winning number 13 puck was none other than the Wayzata High School player that had checked Jablonski into the boards just days before. The winning puck, as well as the proceeds, were given to Jabs a few days after the event.

While fighting his battle, it appears as if Jabs has kept a positive attitude. After being able to move his arms he was heard asking his mother “Alright, when can I strap up my skates?” according to KAAL TV reports.

Keep fighting Jabs.

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Andrew Isenberg, (a.isenberg10@gmail.com), is a freelance sports writer who lives in the Twin Cities.

Hockey Crowd Assists 8-year-old National Anthem Singer

Eight-year-old Elizabeth Hughes sang the National Anthem at an AHL Norfolk Admirals (Tampa Bay Lightning’s affiliate) game against the Connecticut Whale (New York Rangers’ affiliate) last Friday night.

When the sound system went down, the crowd picked her up by helping her finish the remainder. Elizabeth remained calm during her unnerving moment in the spotlight.  Players from both teams joined in the singing and recognized the young singer with a stick tap at the end.

The Admirals have invited her back to perform at another game.

Good Samaritan NHL Hockey Player Provides Roadside Assistance

Despite scoring a goal, Washington Capitals Brooks Laich was on the losing end of Game 7 against the surprising Montreal Canadians. When driving home from the arena, the Canadian-born center, noticed a car pulled off on the side of the road.

A woman and her daughter, Mary Ann Wangemann and Lorraine, hit a pothole which did a number on their tire. Laich pulled over and offered assistance to the two who had just attended the game. In about 40 minutes time, he had changed a tire, and along the way, apologized for the loss.

The Wangemanns were on their way with a feel good story to tell their friends and family.

See Dan Steinberg’s article in the Washington Post

Oh Canada!

It wasn’t the second miracle USA hockey fans had hoped for as Canada won in dramatic fashion to take the gold medal in the Olympic finals. But, if the USA had to lose to anyone for the gold medal, you have to be happy it was Canada.

Canada, the land where hockey was invented, and where the sport is treated like a religion was a deserving victor in the 3-2 overtime game. The nation’s devotion to the game is even depicted on the Canadian $5 bill which shows kids playing pond hockey and includes a quote from Roch Carrier’s “The Hockey Sweater.” With the whole nation watching the game played in host city, Vancouver, team captain Sidney Crosby, nicknamed “The Next One,” scored the winning goal.

The gold medal win in the country’s national sport put a huge exclamation point on the Olympics for Canada as the country won 14 gold medals in all.

Some reasons to feel happy for Canada if you’re a USA hockey fan courtesy of Tom Brokaw.

Canadians’ reaction to the goal

Victoria Salmon Kings’ Amazing Hockey Goal

The ECHL’s Victoria Salmon Kings executed a flashy goal against the Bakersfield Condors with stick handling that sent the puck through 4 sets of legs before finding a home in the net.  Salmon Kings Scott Howes and Dirk Southern did all the heavy lifting for Adam Taylor who ultimately scores the goal.

Victoria beat Bakersfield 6-3 after opening the game with a five-goal first period.

With this goal, the Howes-Southern-Taylor line will have something to talk about for a long time.

Watch this amazing hockey goal from the ECHL

It’s raining teddy bears at a hockey game

When Spencer Bennett of the Portland Winterhawks (Portland, Oregon) scored the 2009 “Teddy Bear Goal” in the first period on Saturday, November 28 against rival Seattle Thunderbirds, it triggered a shower of teddy bears tossed onto the rink.  Over 16,000 bears were collected in all and will be donated to children’s charities throughout the greater Portland area.

The teddy bear toss tradition is very popular in the Western Hockey League, especially in Portland and Calgary.  It is believed to have originated in Kitchener, Ontario at Kitchener Rangers games.

ENJOY THIS VIDEO

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